known for his casual and approachable manner. He became involved in government and legislative issues that affected Catholics. He institutionalized social work within the see and upgraded its Catholic school system. By 1957 there were 209,281 Catholics in the diocese, a 255% increase from 1940. Armstrong established over 28 new parishes. At his death, the diocese encompassed 36 Northern California counties. On April 14, 1942, Armstrong returned to Spokane to celebrate a pontifical requiem Mass for his mother, Margaret Armstrong, who died at age 80. She was a member of the St. Aloysius altar society. Death and legacy Armstrong's health declined in 1954. On October 26, 1955, Pope Pius XII named Bishop Joseph McGucken as coadjutor bishop with the right of succession. Robert Armstrong died in Sacramento on January 1957. See also Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States List of the Catholic bishops of the United States Sources Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento Retrieved 2010-05-20. The Hierarchy of the Catholic Church Retrieved 2010-05-20. References Episcopal succession 1884 births 1957 deaths People from San Francisco Gonzaga University alumni Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane Roman Catholic bishops of Sacramento 20th-century Roman Catholic bishops in the United States Religious leaders from Washington (state)